Evaluate the reasons why ducal Burgundy became a major power in the late 14th and early 15th centuries.

The question requires that candidates make an appraisal of the significance of the various reasons why Burgundy emerged as a major power. Reasons may be political and dynastic, and may include the expansion of territory in the Low Countries. The acquisition of titles, such as the Duke of Brabant or Counts of Hainault and Luxemburg, increased the power of the dynasty. Various marriages also benefited the dynasty. The endowment of Burgundy by Philip in 1363 began the process of political independence from France. Burgundy’s actions in the Hundred Years War also increased its importance in relation to a weakened France. Economically Burgundy was prosperous with key cloth towns such as Bruges and Ghent, as well as developed financial structures such as credit facilities and banking houses. Burgundy was an international trading centre that benefitted from tolls on trade and made it enormously wealthy.